geekhack

geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Hyde on Fri, 18 October 2013, 23:55:57

Title: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: Hyde on Fri, 18 October 2013, 23:55:57
http://kotaku.com/co-op-the-best-gaming-keyboard-top-6-nominations-1447953582

So basically Razer won by a huge margin again because of popularity as a brand, how the keyboard is probably is irrelevant here.

I voted for CM QFR though, and if I could I'd probably vote Corsair K70 2nd.
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: Halverson on Sat, 19 October 2013, 00:00:04
Those keyboards are all so much better than the rest :p

HI HYDE
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: rowdy on Sat, 19 October 2013, 01:17:54
I wonder how many people buy a BWU based on the hype, use it for a while until it breaks, and then think "I don't get all this fuss about mechanical keyboards - they are pieces of fecal matter" and just go back to their rubber dome.
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: Martyr on Sat, 19 October 2013, 04:22:04
Not surprising, probably the only MKB brand they know.
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: terran5992 on Sat, 19 October 2013, 05:03:46
Wheres topre?
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: rowdy on Sat, 19 October 2013, 05:41:42
Wheres topre?

If BW is included, I wouldn't expect to see Topre there too.
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: SnareSpectre on Sat, 19 October 2013, 05:55:45
The QFR certainly wins when it comes to quality for the money.
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: tp4tissue on Sat, 19 October 2013, 10:32:19
I lose a little faith in humanity, every-time I see the results of this type of poll...
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: Photekq on Sat, 19 October 2013, 10:35:39
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/1381520_10152311322982576_128867513_n.jpg)
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: tp4tissue on Sat, 19 October 2013, 10:36:39
Show Image
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/1381520_10152311322982576_128867513_n.jpg)


Kids...
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: bazemk1979 on Sat, 19 October 2013, 10:48:03
Would of vote for the Corsair in a heart beat, but the bottom modifiers + space bar really kills it..... that's why CM QFR gets the vote.
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: tp4tissue on Sat, 19 October 2013, 10:58:58
Would of vote for the Corsair in a heart beat, but the bottom modifiers + space bar really kills it..... that's why CM QFR gets the vote.

Then ergodox walks in, and melts all the boards on that list with it's Ergorays.... pssssszzap....(http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/beautifu2.gif)
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: SpAmRaY on Sat, 19 October 2013, 11:00:35
Would of vote for the Corsair in a heart beat, but the bottom modifiers + space bar really kills it..... that's why CM QFR gets the vote.

Then ergodox walks in, and melts all the boards on that list with it's Ergorays.... pssssszzap....
Show Image
(http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/beautifu2.gif)


just paint it black and put green led's in it and put a huge logo on it, tell everyone the swtiches are tuned for gaming and you'd win instantly
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: FoxWolf1 on Sat, 19 October 2013, 11:03:52
Meaningless popularity contest disguised as evaluative survey is meaningless.
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: tp4tissue on Sat, 19 October 2013, 11:05:13
Meaningless popularity contest disguised as evaluative survey is meaningless.

exactly... who still uses keyboards that are all one piece... crazyness...  (http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/073.gif)
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: Nakapfao on Sat, 19 October 2013, 12:12:39
Honestly, if Razer didn't exist the results would show QFR number one and everyone would still be complaining it's "because of popularity as a brand". I mean, QFR is just as marketed towards "GAMERZ" as Razer is, people just need someone to hate. Of course, the QFR is higher quality than BW, but let's be honest, that's not the reason the board sells to 90% of the people who own it.

I'm not hating on the QFR, it's the board I use daily. I just think this whole elitist debate is ****ing stupid. If it makes you feel better to disregard people who like a keyboard that is minimally worse than yours as "kids," go for it.
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: Hyde on Sun, 20 October 2013, 14:45:28
Those keyboards are all so much better than the rest :p

HI HYDE

HI HALVERSON YOU'RE ALIVE !!!

lol where have you been dude?  Welcome back !

Would of vote for the Corsair in a heart beat, but the bottom modifiers + space bar really kills it..... that's why CM QFR gets the vote.

lol I kind of feel the same way.  I like the design and look of Corsair K70 but overall quality, value and compatibility wise QFR wins.
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: Pacifist on Sun, 20 October 2013, 14:59:02
That's so skewed.

Razer claims to be made for gamers, but that's just a lie they make to make more money.

People will buy their stuff because they claim they're there only for gamers, not money, creating more sales and thus more money.

Pretty good marketing strat tho
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: ctbear on Sun, 20 October 2013, 16:56:51
To be fair this is a poll for the best gaming keyboard, not the best mechanical keyboard. BWU is not a bad choice for gaming.
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: Pacifist on Sun, 20 October 2013, 16:58:10
To be fair this is a poll for the best gaming keyboard, not the best mechanical keyboard. BWU is not a bad choice for gaming.

Blues aren't really that good to game with, but that's just my opinion

Also what's the point of backlighting while gaming? You probally won't be looking down at the board
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: tp4tissue on Sun, 20 October 2013, 17:04:24
I think I've been too harsh on regular keyboards.....   As far as performance, even if it's not as durable... you'll probably get equal play out of buying just about any keyboard...

I think the sheer volume of votes on these boards has really humbled me in respect to Keyboard Elitism...  Perhaps there is great merit in staggered qwerty after all....

(http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/efb50fe2.gif)
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: tbc on Sun, 20 October 2013, 17:09:29
k70 is the best for gaming....the f row is closer and it has reds.

people actually think blues are best for gaming?  they're okay, but definitely not the best.
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: Photekq on Sun, 20 October 2013, 17:11:07
k70 is the best for gaming....the f row is closer and it has reds.

people actually think blues are best for gaming?  they're okay, but definitely not the best.
No switch is the best for anything.. It's all opinion..

I honestly wish the banners of DT and GH included : "KEYSWITCHES ARE ENTIRELY A MATTER OF OPINION, SO STOP ARGUING OVER WHICH IS BEST"
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: acidtrip69 on Sun, 20 October 2013, 17:12:10
i use to have a razer keyboard. It sucked it gave me so many problems and build quality wasn't great it sucked. I'm never buy a razer keyboard, but for some reason they make mice ^_^ ahahhaha.
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: Photekq on Sun, 20 October 2013, 17:13:19
I used to have a blackwidow. It was actually a good keyboard (EXCEPT FOR THE GODDAMN GLOSS FINISH - ALL KEYBOARDS WITH GLOSS FINISHES SHOULD BE BURNED) until I spilled tea all over it. I don't think I can blame the keyboard for that though.
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: acidtrip69 on Sun, 20 October 2013, 17:17:21
i use to have a razer keyboard. It sucked it gave me so many problems and build quality wasn't great it sucked. I'm never buy a razer keyboard, but for some reason they make great mice ^_^ ahahhaha.
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: tbc on Sun, 20 October 2013, 17:20:52
k70 is the best for gaming....the f row is closer and it has reds.

people actually think blues are best for gaming?  they're okay, but definitely not the best.
No switch is the best for anything.. It's all opinion..

I honestly wish the banners of DT and GH included : "KEYSWITCHES ARE ENTIRELY A MATTER OF OPINION, SO STOP ARGUING OVER WHICH IS BEST"

um.  i didn't say a switch was the best?  i said just the opposite actually. 
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: davkol on Sun, 20 October 2013, 17:22:41
k70 is the best for gaming....the f row is closer and it has reds.

Thinking about it, the choc mini is probably truly the best gaming keyboard.

Tenkeyless? Even smaller, thus mouse is closer.
Winkeyless? The Win key can be turned off on hardware level. Moreover, the keyboard supports hardware CapsLock-Control swap.
Function keys? Right above the number row.
NKRO? Checked.
At last but not least, it's one of the cheaper keyboards, yet with higher-quality keycaps than almost any "gaming" junk.

I just wish it had a phantom-style plate and Teensy.
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: tp4tissue on Sun, 20 October 2013, 17:22:50
I used to have a blackwidow. It was actually a good keyboard (EXCEPT FOR THE GODDAMN GLOSS FINISH - ALL KEYBOARDS WITH GLOSS FINISHES SHOULD BE BURNED) until I spilled tea all over it. I don't think I can blame the keyboard for that though.

Ok.. see what you forgot was, the glare reflecting off of the glossy finish GOT INTO YOUR EYE.. causing momentary blindness.

you bumped into the table, and spilled your tea...

TOTALLY the keyboard's fault..

(http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/044.gif)
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: Photekq on Sun, 20 October 2013, 17:25:43
um.  i didn't say a switch was the best?  i said just the opposite actually.
You implied that reds are the best, and you seemed to be in disbelief that people think blues are the best for gaming.
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: tp4tissue on Sun, 20 October 2013, 17:51:38
um.  i didn't say a switch was the best?  i said just the opposite actually.
You implied that reds are the best, and you seemed to be in disbelief that people think blues are the best for gaming.

Where did you read blue was best for gaming?(http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/d1eef220.gif)

Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: ctbear on Sun, 20 October 2013, 19:01:27
To be fair this is a poll for the best gaming keyboard, not the best mechanical keyboard. BWU is not a bad choice for gaming.

Blues aren't really that good to game with, but that's just my opinion

Also what's the point of backlighting while gaming? You probally won't be looking down at the board

Blues are okay for gaming, as you said it's all opinions.
You would be surprised how many people game in darkness. And having backlights doesn't make it worse.
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: Pacifist on Sun, 20 October 2013, 19:05:42
To be fair this is a poll for the best gaming keyboard, not the best mechanical keyboard. BWU is not a bad choice for gaming.

Blues aren't really that good to game with, but that's just my opinion

Also what's the point of backlighting while gaming? You probally won't be looking down at the board

Blues are okay for gaming, as you said it's all opinions.
You would be surprised how many people game in darkness. And having backlights doesn't make it worse.

It doesn't make it worse buts its really gimmicky. You'll rarely look down at your hands. And besides, you shouldn't be playing in the dark, thats bad for your eyes
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: ctbear on Sun, 20 October 2013, 20:14:02
To be fair this is a poll for the best gaming keyboard, not the best mechanical keyboard. BWU is not a bad choice for gaming.

Blues aren't really that good to game with, but that's just my opinion

Also what's the point of backlighting while gaming? You probally won't be looking down at the board

Blues are okay for gaming, as you said it's all opinions.
You would be surprised how many people game in darkness. And having backlights doesn't make it worse.

It doesn't make it worse buts its really gimmicky. You'll rarely look down at your hands. And besides, you shouldn't be playing in the dark, thats bad for your eyes

I don't game in the dark but many people do. I still fail to see how having backlights making it a worse gaming keyboard than say, the QFR?
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: tp4tissue on Sun, 20 October 2013, 20:47:45
To be fair this is a poll for the best gaming keyboard, not the best mechanical keyboard. BWU is not a bad choice for gaming.

Blues aren't really that good to game with, but that's just my opinion

Also what's the point of backlighting while gaming? You probally won't be looking down at the board

Blues are okay for gaming, as you said it's all opinions.
You would be surprised how many people game in darkness. And having backlights doesn't make it worse.

It doesn't make it worse buts its really gimmicky. You'll rarely look down at your hands. And besides, you shouldn't be playing in the dark, thats bad for your eyes

I don't game in the dark but many people do. I still fail to see how having backlights making it a worse gaming keyboard than say, the QFR?

I haven't seen anyone game in the dark.. maybe "dim" but not dark...

Do people actually game in the dark?  Doesn't that hurt your eyes at all? 
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: Pacifist on Sun, 20 October 2013, 20:51:53
To be fair this is a poll for the best gaming keyboard, not the best mechanical keyboard. BWU is not a bad choice for gaming.

Blues aren't really that good to game with, but that's just my opinion

Also what's the point of backlighting while gaming? You probally won't be looking down at the board

Blues are okay for gaming, as you said it's all opinions.
You would be surprised how many people game in darkness. And having backlights doesn't make it worse.

It doesn't make it worse buts its really gimmicky. You'll rarely look down at your hands. And besides, you shouldn't be playing in the dark, thats bad for your eyes

I don't game in the dark but many people do. I still fail to see how having backlights making it a worse gaming keyboard than say, the QFR?

I haven't seen anyone game in the dark.. maybe "dim" but not dark...

Do people actually game in the dark?  Doesn't that hurt your eyes at all?

It damages it
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: wetto on Sun, 20 October 2013, 21:08:57
To be fair this is a poll for the best gaming keyboard, not the best mechanical keyboard. BWU is not a bad choice for gaming.

Blues aren't really that good to game with, but that's just my opinion

Also what's the point of backlighting while gaming? You probally won't be looking down at the board

Blues are okay for gaming, as you said it's all opinions.
You would be surprised how many people game in darkness. And having backlights doesn't make it worse.

It doesn't make it worse buts its really gimmicky. You'll rarely look down at your hands. And besides, you shouldn't be playing in the dark, thats bad for your eyes

I don't game in the dark but many people do. I still fail to see how having backlights making it a worse gaming keyboard than say, the QFR?

It's not about the backlight, it's about the keycap quality. Sure, if the backlit keycaps were just as good as the ones on Déck Legend keyboards or iPROS LETIS, no one would complain, but they're made outta ultra-cheap thin ABS plastic with some god damn awful coating that can come off just about anytime. And even worse, when they do, you have to buy a new keyboard since its modifiers aren't standard, you can't replace them for kits sold on the internet, you can't customize it completely.

So... what can happen when keycaps are bad? Well, besides the keyboard itself feeling like crap, there can be other issues:

Logitech G710+ on the left, came that way from factory. Its keycaps can be removed easily by using your finger and they come off when you turn the keyboard around.

(http://imageshack.us/a/img28/1173/biym.jpg)

CM Quick Fire TK MX Blue:

(http://geekhack.org/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=42284.0;attach=18408;image)

CM Quick Fire TK MX Brown:

(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b217/niciusvi/WP_000485.jpg)

Mionix Zibal 60 MX Black:

(http://i.imgur.com/STcdw.jpg)

Meanwhile, while the CM Quick Fire Rapid keycaps are not the best available in the market, they're far better than the crap used on almost all backlit keyboards.
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: Pacifist on Sun, 20 October 2013, 21:14:26
Also razer has almost zero customization. Each BW has one preset backlit color and switch. You can't even change keycaps that easily as they have weird modifier keys.
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: Hyde on Sun, 20 October 2013, 21:52:17
Companies need to join together and come up with a standard on bottom row.

I actually won't blame iOne for using 1.5, 1, 1.5 bottom mod as oppose to 1.25, 1.25, 1.25.  I think both were the standards back in the days.  Also Matias and Topre both use 1.5, 1, 1.5 mod too.

But would be cool if one day all the companies can all pick one and stick to it.  Probably won't happen though........  :(
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: rowdy on Sun, 20 October 2013, 21:53:57
The nice thing about standards is that there are so many to choose from.
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: wetto on Sun, 20 October 2013, 21:56:01
Companies need to join together and come up with a standard on bottom row.
I actually won't blame iOne for using 1.5, 1, 1.5 bottom mod as oppose to 1.25, 1.25, 1.25.  I think both were the standards back in the days.  Also Matias and Topre both use 1.5, 1, 1.5 mod too.

But would be cool if one day all the companies can all pick one and stick to it.  Probably won't happen though........  :(

It's not iOne, on the newer models it's the same OEM as Logitech G710+, CM Quick Fire TK and Corsair K70, which I believe it's Solid Year... At least that's what I was told by Matias himself, Carter gave some tips away and I have the three of them and noticed some resemblances.

G710+ (back) and Corsair K70 (front) keycaps: (check the codes)

(http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/972/ryru.jpg)

iOne is actually working on making some new keyboards with RGB backlighting with Kailh, they lost way too many clients in 2012~2013 and are going to start making cheap RGB backlit mechanical keyboards with Kailh switches very soon.

Brace yourselves for a new batch of crappy backlit gaming mechanical keyboards with terrible keycaps coming up soon.
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: ctbear on Sun, 20 October 2013, 23:05:56
To be fair this is a poll for the best gaming keyboard, not the best mechanical keyboard. BWU is not a bad choice for gaming.

Blues aren't really that good to game with, but that's just my opinion

Also what's the point of backlighting while gaming? You probally won't be looking down at the board

Blues are okay for gaming, as you said it's all opinions.
You would be surprised how many people game in darkness. And having backlights doesn't make it worse.

It doesn't make it worse buts its really gimmicky. You'll rarely look down at your hands. And besides, you shouldn't be playing in the dark, thats bad for your eyes

I don't game in the dark but many people do. I still fail to see how having backlights making it a worse gaming keyboard than say, the QFR?

It's not about the backlight, it's about the keycap quality. Sure, if the backlit keycaps were just as good as the ones on Déck Legend keyboards or iPROS LETIS, no one would complain, but they're made outta ultra-cheap thin ABS plastic with some god damn awful coating that can come off just about anytime. And even worse, when they do, you have to buy a new keyboard since its modifiers aren't standard, you can't replace them for kits sold on the internet, you can't customize it completely.

So... what can happen when keycaps are bad? Well, besides the keyboard itself feeling like crap, there can be other issues:

Logitech G710+ on the left, came that way from factory. Its keycaps can be removed easily by using your finger and they come off when you turn the keyboard around.

Show Image
(http://imageshack.us/a/img28/1173/biym.jpg)


CM Quick Fire TK MX Blue:

Show Image
(http://geekhack.org/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=42284.0;attach=18408;image)


CM Quick Fire TK MX Brown:

Show Image
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b217/niciusvi/WP_000485.jpg)


Mionix Zibal 60 MX Black:

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/STcdw.jpg)


Meanwhile, while the CM Quick Fire Rapid keycaps are not the best available in the market, they're far better than the crap used on almost all backlit keyboards.

My experience is that none of them are durable enough for one of those high tension mother-yelling key-smashing gaming sessions. I've had a BW before and had some experience with a QFR board and the caps seem equally crappy to me.
But that was a while ago so can't really comment on the quality now.

Also razer has almost zero customization. Each BW has one preset backlit color and switch. You can't even change keycaps that easily as they have weird modifier keys.

Again while those are nice features I can't see how they would make the BW a worse gaming keyboard.




I would never own another Razer keyboard personally (for a variety of reasons), but some of the hatreds towards Razer on GH are just uncalled for. This is a poll for the best gaming keyboard, and from a gaming perspective the BW is a pretty good choice. The GH-loved QFR is a solid and more superior keyboard in general, but from a gaming perspective it lacks the macro keys and profile support, which are both very useful features for gaming.
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: Hyde on Sun, 20 October 2013, 23:50:28
iOne is actually working on making some new keyboards with RGB backlighting with Kailh, they lost way too many clients in 2012~2013 and are going to start making cheap RGB backlit mechanical keyboards with Kailh switches very soon.

Brace yourselves for a new batch of crappy backlit gaming mechanical keyboards with terrible keycaps coming up soon.

Yeah I think first they lost CM Storm then later on Razer too.  Yes the new Blackwidow 2013 are not made by iOne anymore, I wonder if the joined the same manufacture for CM Storm TK/Logitech G710+/Corsair K70.  And I'd imagine considering the amount Razer sells, losing them is probably a huge loss for iOne.

Though are they finally figure out how do RGB backlit mechanical keyboard now?  I've seen one Korean board with such feature, but would be cool if it becomes the norm for all keyboards here onward.

If would actually save companies a lot of money and hassle because they just need to make 1 model to please everyone.
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: tbc on Mon, 21 October 2013, 01:00:18
some of us enjoy playing horror games.  no, playing with the lights on is not the same as with them on.

it's the exact same concept thing as watching a movie in the dark.


EDIT:

on the razer topic, my personal grudge against them is their relatively high prices; that alone is all I need to not recommend them.

EDIT2:

You implied that reds are the best, and you seemed to be in disbelief that people think blues are the best for gaming.

I said that reds are a factor in it being the best.  I didn't say that close f-row + browns weren't better.  (Although personally, I find them to be a wash)

so you think blues are significantly in favor among gamers who have tried all comon MX switches?

Thinking about it, the choc mini is probably truly the best gaming keyboard.
....

yes, the choc mini definitely came to my mind first.  I just think that the gap on the k70 would still help; no gap on the mini might cause misclicks.
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: wetto on Mon, 21 October 2013, 01:30:30
iOne is actually working on making some new keyboards with RGB backlighting with Kailh, they lost way too many clients in 2012~2013 and are going to start making cheap RGB backlit mechanical keyboards with Kailh switches very soon.

Brace yourselves for a new batch of crappy backlit gaming mechanical keyboards with terrible keycaps coming up soon.

Yeah I think first they lost CM Storm then later on Razer too.  Yes the new Blackwidow 2013 are not made by iOne anymore, I wonder if the joined the same manufacture for CM Storm TK/Logitech G710+/Corsair K70.  And I'd imagine considering the amount Razer sells, losing them is probably a huge loss for iOne.

Though are they finally figure out how do RGB backlit mechanical keyboard now?  I've seen one Korean board with such feature, but would be cool if it becomes the norm for all keyboards here onward.

If would actually save companies a lot of money and hassle because they just need to make 1 model to please everyone.

Yes, it's the same manufacturer.

Kailh is making switches of their own, which are cheap knock-offs of Cherry MX switches (yeah, quality isn't good), but one of their switches (which hasn't been released yet) being able to somehow use RGB backlight. I do not know how they're gonna do that, be it through using Cherry based switches, modifying the casing and the type of LEDs that are soldered into the switch, by making the Cherry MX Based switch transparent just like on Matias Switches or exactly by making a Matias Quiet switch knockoff (now, that would make a lot of sense and solve all of their problems).

Anyways, considering it's iOne and Kailh we're talking about, don't expect good things, but expect your worst nightmares  :-X
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: davkol on Mon, 21 October 2013, 07:45:47
To be fair this is a poll for the best gaming keyboard, not the best mechanical keyboard. BWU is not a bad choice for gaming.

Blues aren't really that good to game with, but that's just my opinion

Also what's the point of backlighting while gaming? You probally won't be looking down at the board

Blues are okay for gaming, as you said it's all opinions.
You would be surprised how many people game in darkness. And having backlights doesn't make it worse.

It doesn't make it worse buts its really gimmicky. You'll rarely look down at your hands. And besides, you shouldn't be playing in the dark, thats bad for your eyes

I don't game in the dark but many people do. I still fail to see how having backlights making it a worse gaming keyboard than say, the QFR?

I haven't seen anyone game in the dark.. maybe "dim" but not dark...

Do people actually game in the dark?  Doesn't that hurt your eyes at all?

It damages it

[citation needed]

I've read only about temporary dizziness.
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: Pacifist on Mon, 21 October 2013, 17:01:27
To be fair this is a poll for the best gaming keyboard, not the best mechanical keyboard. BWU is not a bad choice for gaming.

Blues aren't really that good to game with, but that's just my opinion

Also what's the point of backlighting while gaming? You probally won't be looking down at the board

Blues are okay for gaming, as you said it's all opinions.
You would be surprised how many people game in darkness. And having backlights doesn't make it worse.

It doesn't make it worse buts its really gimmicky. You'll rarely look down at your hands. And besides, you shouldn't be playing in the dark, thats bad for your eyes

I don't game in the dark but many people do. I still fail to see how having backlights making it a worse gaming keyboard than say, the QFR?

I haven't seen anyone game in the dark.. maybe "dim" but not dark...

Do people actually game in the dark?  Doesn't that hurt your eyes at all?

It damages it

[citation needed]

I've read only about temporary dizziness.

Don't really have evidence, but for most, you're eyes will be dialating or squinting to get more light in, and doing that long term messes them up. My optometrist told me to read and do other stuff with plenty of light and to not squint as much as I can
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: Linkbane on Mon, 21 October 2013, 21:20:56
To be fair this is a poll for the best gaming keyboard, not the best mechanical keyboard. BWU is not a bad choice for gaming.

Blues aren't really that good to game with, but that's just my opinion

Also what's the point of backlighting while gaming? You probally won't be looking down at the board

Blues are okay for gaming, as you said it's all opinions.
You would be surprised how many people game in darkness. And having backlights doesn't make it worse.

It doesn't make it worse buts its really gimmicky. You'll rarely look down at your hands. And besides, you shouldn't be playing in the dark, thats bad for your eyes

It's not about what we should/shouldn't do, it's about what we do. And I play LoL in the dark often, as I live with other people, so having a backlit keyboard is a necessity. Also helps me get my bearing when I'm typing. People are divided about backlighting to be sure, but it's a lot of effort for the manufacturers to make it and I think that it's quite beautiful to have lighting, otherwise the keyboard is only different in shape from another.

I mean, yes, build quality, but I actually do care about how my keyboard looks. I can use any run-of-the-mill Rosewill or QFR or even TVS, but I want something that looks good. And to me, although not to some others, a backlit keyboard looks great.
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: ynrozturk on Tue, 22 October 2013, 12:52:12
All of this Razer hate is ridiculous. If the QFR was the best selling gaming mechanical keyboard or whatever, people would probably hate on them as well. People just need something to hate on I guess. I've had my BW Tournament Edition for a while now, and I like it. I changed the caps with blank ones that I got from the Keyboard Company, and it's fine. No glossy finish, and the thing is built like a tank with virtually no flex. I've had no problems with the switches, but I have had problems with the Synapse software, so I simply don't use it. Not sure if they fixed it in recent updates, and I don't really care. But the board itself is just fine.

And don't we have Razer to thank for sparking more interest in mechanical keyboards? Blackwidows are a first mech keyboard for a lot of people, then it develops into Filco, Ducky, etc. Hating on a Toyota is absolutely silly, for example. Not everyone can afford a Porsche, or even cares, as long as it does the basics. And yes, the Blackwidow does the basics. Is it expensive for what it is? Yes, but that's all successful marketing.
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: Linkbane on Tue, 22 October 2013, 13:14:48
All of this Razer hate is ridiculous. If the QFR was the best selling gaming mechanical keyboard or whatever, people would probably hate on them as well. People just need something to hate on I guess. I've had my BW Tournament Edition for a while now, and I like it. I changed the caps with blank ones that I got from the Keyboard Company, and it's fine. No glossy finish, and the thing is built like a tank with virtually no flex. I've had no problems with the switches, but I have had problems with the Synapse software, so I simply don't use it. Not sure if they fixed it in recent updates, and I don't really care. But the board itself is just fine.

And don't we have Razer to thank for sparking more interest in mechanical keyboards? Blackwidows are a first mech keyboard for a lot of people, then it develops into Filco, Ducky, etc. Hating on a Toyota is absolutely silly, for example. Not everyone can afford a Porsche, or even cares, as long as it does the basics. And yes, the Blackwidow does the basics. Is it expensive for what it is? Yes, but that's all successful marketing.

The vast majority of BW users probably don't even know what a mechanical switch is past the fact that they're using it. It's a blind introduction, and the image that it gives off of '1337p1@y3r5 only' is pretty bad for the reputation of mechanical as just a great feeling, strong method of input.

Plus, the BW is built well? I haven't heard of a single board needing an RMA from breaking other than BWs here.
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: tp4tissue on Tue, 22 October 2013, 13:36:54
All of this Razer hate is ridiculous. If the QFR was the best selling gaming mechanical keyboard or whatever, people would probably hate on them as well. People just need something to hate on I guess. I've had my BW Tournament Edition for a while now, and I like it. I changed the caps with blank ones that I got from the Keyboard Company, and it's fine. No glossy finish, and the thing is built like a tank with virtually no flex. I've had no problems with the switches, but I have had problems with the Synapse software, so I simply don't use it. Not sure if they fixed it in recent updates, and I don't really care. But the board itself is just fine.

And don't we have Razer to thank for sparking more interest in mechanical keyboards? Blackwidows are a first mech keyboard for a lot of people, then it develops into Filco, Ducky, etc. Hating on a Toyota is absolutely silly, for example. Not everyone can afford a Porsche, or even cares, as long as it does the basics. And yes, the Blackwidow does the basics. Is it expensive for what it is? Yes, but that's all successful marketing.

The vast majority of BW users probably don't even know what a mechanical switch is past the fact that they're using it. It's a blind introduction, and the image that it gives off of '1337p1@y3r5 only' is pretty bad for the reputation of mechanical as just a great feeling, strong method of input.

Plus, the BW is built well? I haven't heard of a single board needing an RMA from breaking other than BWs here.

the BW is not built well...

The point that ynrozturk makes, is that it's built well-enough... for the casual kid playing his video games..


The keyboard hobby is actually a departure from the intended purpose of the keyboard, to function as an input device....

The keyboard hobby pushes improvement on the device outside of what is immediately useful... into our realm of "preference"...    This is the distinction between the typical keyboard-user and us the "keyboard-hobbyist"...

I don't hold our group above the typical user, but our objectives are very different.
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: Hellmark on Tue, 22 October 2013, 13:39:17
No flex? The BWUs I've seen now (had the chance to hand a couple this past week infact) were really flimsy.
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: tp4tissue on Tue, 22 October 2013, 13:42:18
No flex? The BWUs I've seen now (had the chance to hand a couple this past week infact) were really flimsy.

i thought the tournament edition that he's talking about had the metal plate
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: Hellmark on Tue, 22 October 2013, 13:45:27
I was under the impression that the only difference was that the TE was TKL, and the rest are fullsized keyboards.
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: tp4tissue on Tue, 22 October 2013, 13:48:13
I was under the impression that the only difference was that the TE was TKL, and the rest are fullsized keyboards.

not totally sure.. but the regular razer is a bit weak / flimsy relative to steel plated boards.

But... then if you look at it from the perspective of a normal-person...

HOW TOUGH... does a keyboard need to be... not that tough isn't better... but... this is not really a melee weapon, or a table that you're putting heavy things on... it's a keyboard.
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: ynrozturk on Tue, 22 October 2013, 13:53:03
Exactly. It's just a damn keyboard. Not a SPAS 12.

I can only speak for the Tournament Edition which I have. I have not tried the others and never considered buying one, because I hate glossy finishes on pretty much everything. I'm not sure if it has a metal plate or not, perhaps I should take it apart to find out.
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: Hellmark on Tue, 22 October 2013, 13:59:30
I personally want my keyboard tough enough to where I can beat someone with it, then immediately go back to typing. That's why I use an M.

Seriously though, to me flex is a sign of weakness and being cheaply made. If I am spending $140 on a keyboard, I don't want it to feel cheap. I am still used to being poor, and most of my M's I bought years ago, so I've never dumped a lot on a keyboard. I found the receipt on the silver label I'm on, and I spent $25 for it when I bought it. When you're used to not paying a lot for a keyboard that feels like it will last for years, then actually does, spending several times that on a keyboard that feels cheap, well, sucks. The Logitech G710+ I played with recently seemed like it was a decently made 'board, and the CM stuff I've seen always seemed like it was decent quality. Razor when it comes to their keyboards and pads always seemed cheap feeling to me. I've talked before about my N52, and how quality seemed to go down hill after Razor bought it from Belkin. The Tartarus that I saw this weekend felt like it would have some of the keys break off.
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: tufty on Tue, 22 October 2013, 14:09:43
Also razer has almost zero customization. Each BW has one preset backlit color and switch. You can't even change keycaps that easily as they have weird modifier keys.
Honestly, in a poll of /gamers/ regarding keyboards made for /gaming/, how much sway does is customisability likely to have have? 

In a wider sense, how many people outside the extremely minority group of geekhack / deskthority members with far more money than sense would even consider swapping keycaps as something that isn't completely nerdy and pointless?

Backlighting /should be/ utterly useless for gamers or typists.  But it looks proper bling, innit, so it's far more important than ergonomics, keyswitch quality, nkro, and, above all, the ability to change caps on your keyboard and (depending on the caps) make it impossible / more uncomfortable to use.  It's probably marginally less important than the ability to program "STFU, N00B" macros at a hardware level, though.
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: Hellmark on Tue, 22 October 2013, 14:38:19
Usually customization is a big thing for gaming stuff, because people like making their own, especially for gamers. That's why you see all the custom and outlandish gaming gear. I mean, gamers like bling, but what good is bling if it is exactly the same as everyone else. The point of bling is to have you stand out.

As far as the backlighting goes, I wouldnt say that it is 100% useless. While I can effectively type blind, there are times that I need to know what key is where, at least so I can get my fingers placed on a known starting point. Plus there are the keys that aren't used as often that you may find your self in need of. Plus, for some backlighting itself isn't "cool" as having a glow from the keyboard. Quite a few keyboards I've seen with lighting didn't have transparent keycaps, just had a glow around they keys themselves.
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: Linkbane on Tue, 22 October 2013, 16:05:18
All of this Razer hate is ridiculous. If the QFR was the best selling gaming mechanical keyboard or whatever, people would probably hate on them as well. People just need something to hate on I guess. I've had my BW Tournament Edition for a while now, and I like it. I changed the caps with blank ones that I got from the Keyboard Company, and it's fine. No glossy finish, and the thing is built like a tank with virtually no flex. I've had no problems with the switches, but I have had problems with the Synapse software, so I simply don't use it. Not sure if they fixed it in recent updates, and I don't really care. But the board itself is just fine.

And don't we have Razer to thank for sparking more interest in mechanical keyboards? Blackwidows are a first mech keyboard for a lot of people, then it develops into Filco, Ducky, etc. Hating on a Toyota is absolutely silly, for example. Not everyone can afford a Porsche, or even cares, as long as it does the basics. And yes, the Blackwidow does the basics. Is it expensive for what it is? Yes, but that's all successful marketing.

The vast majority of BW users probably don't even know what a mechanical switch is past the fact that they're using it. It's a blind introduction, and the image that it gives off of '1337p1@y3r5 only' is pretty bad for the reputation of mechanical as just a great feeling, strong method of input.

Plus, the BW is built well? I haven't heard of a single board needing an RMA from breaking other than BWs here.

the BW is not built well...

The point that ynrozturk makes, is that it's built well-enough... for the casual kid playing his video games..


The keyboard hobby is actually a departure from the intended purpose of the keyboard, to function as an input device....

The keyboard hobby pushes improvement on the device outside of what is immediately useful... into our realm of "preference"...    This is the distinction between the typical keyboard-user and us the "keyboard-hobbyist"...

I don't hold our group above the typical user, but our objectives are very different.

It was a question to point out a flaw, the keyboards definitely aren't built well.
Plus, backlighting is very useful while gaming in the dark for me.
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: watterrbottle on Tue, 22 October 2013, 16:23:15

All of this Razer hate is ridiculous. If the QFR was the best selling gaming mechanical keyboard or whatever, people would probably hate on them as well. People just need something to hate on I guess. I've had my BW Tournament Edition for a while now, and I like it. I changed the caps with blank ones that I got from the Keyboard Company, and it's fine. No glossy finish, and the thing is built like a tank with virtually no flex. I've had no problems with the switches, but I have had problems with the Synapse software, so I simply don't use it. Not sure if they fixed it in recent updates, and I don't really care. But the board itself is just fine.

And don't we have Razer to thank for sparking more interest in mechanical keyboards? Blackwidows are a first mech keyboard for a lot of people, then it develops into Filco, Ducky, etc. Hating on a Toyota is absolutely silly, for example. Not everyone can afford a Porsche, or even cares, as long as it does the basics. And yes, the Blackwidow does the basics. Is it expensive for what it is? Yes, but that's all successful marketing.

Sure is elite in this thread. Not the brightest of threads to reflect the GH community. A lot of this hate is seriously uncalled for, everyone has their preferences.


the BW is not built well...

The point that ynrozturk makes, is that it's built well-enough... for the casual kid playing his video games..


The keyboard hobby is actually a departure from the intended purpose of the keyboard, to function as an input device....

The keyboard hobby pushes improvement on the device outside of what is immediately useful... into our realm of "preference"...    This is the distinction between the typical keyboard-user and us the "keyboard-hobbyist"...

I don't hold our group above the typical user, but our objectives are very different.


However, this was well said.
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: Hellmark on Tue, 22 October 2013, 16:34:27
I really don't see why people are saying we're being elitist here. People are showing pictures of things done in a poor way. There genuinely is a quality difference, even compared to that of cheaper boards. No one here is saying it is the worst keyboard on the market, but in comparison to like keyboards, it isn't that good.
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: tp4tissue on Tue, 22 October 2013, 19:57:29
I really don't see why people are saying we're being elitist here. People are showing pictures of things done in a poor way. There genuinely is a quality difference, even compared to that of cheaper boards. No one here is saying it is the worst keyboard on the market, but in comparison to like keyboards, it isn't that good.

There may very well be a 3rd category of users, keyboard-elitists.


Keyboard Elitists:

Those who judge other human beings based on unrelated corner-characteristics of their keyboard choice.

Keyboard Hobbyist:


One who enjoys the genre above and beyond its actual utility.

Keyboard-User/Novice:


The Back-lighting makes me happy, therefore Razer is the ****znit..



None of the parties are wrong in their belief.. they just all have different objectives for their keyboards.

The k-elitist is using his material possession to elevate his own ego.

The k-hobbyist is utilizing keyboards as a progress tracker for his life.. better keyboard = better life

The k-novice is an unfocused basic materialist..


I, Tp4 am a keyboard-hobbyist

I have an ergodox... because I have it... my life is fffffing awesome....(http://www.freesmileys.org/emoticons/tuzki-bunnys/tuzki-bunny-emoticon-037.gif)
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: inteli722 on Tue, 22 October 2013, 20:07:59
I have an ergodox... because I have it... my life is fffffing awesome....
Show Image
(http://www.freesmileys.org/emoticons/tuzki-bunnys/tuzki-bunny-emoticon-037.gif)


It's OK, you can swear on the internet.

Anyways, I don't like Razer because they tend not to have great QA, which for how much they charge should be necessary.
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: ynrozturk on Tue, 22 October 2013, 20:09:30
Overall I am not a fan of Razer, either. They are way too overpriced for what they produce. Including their mice.
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: wetto on Tue, 22 October 2013, 20:31:08
Ok, let's get one thing straight. The overall quality of the old 2009 lines were crap indeed, iOne managed to make lots and lots of faulty units of the Razer Blackwidow and Razer Blackwidow Ultimate and even if it wasn't faulty it was still bad, that's true and undeniable. And at the same time, people, especially Razer fanboys, would defend such keyboards over the course of years and years, making it seem like a holy grail of Mechanical Keyboards be it 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. And at the same time, of course, people who knew stuff about keyboards would get mad at them.

But, things got changed when the Razer Blackwidow 2013 and Tournament lines, when Razer did replaced their OEM. Now, before we get to bashing and stuff, take a look at this soldering job on a Razer Blackwidow Tournament:

(http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/8990/dsc02343xl.jpg)

I don't see any slacking there, soldering looks as it should, shiny, no excess nor lack. Just as it should look on any good electronic equipment. Hell, it looks better than the PCB of my CM Quick Fire Rapid.

So... There aren't many reasons as why to avoid Razer, besides price, keycaps and modifiers. But since gamers don't even care about that...
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: Linkbane on Tue, 22 October 2013, 20:46:02
Reason to avoid Razer: can't identify which language they attempt to use on their 'English' keyboards.
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: Sniping on Tue, 22 October 2013, 20:53:07
Reason to avoid Razer: can't identify which language they attempt to use on their 'English' keyboards.

Seems to be the same dialect as the one on the QFR and TK.
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: wetto on Tue, 22 October 2013, 20:56:05
Reason to avoid Razer: can't identify which language they attempt to use on their 'English' keyboards.

Seems to be the same dialect as the one on the QFR and TK.

Let's not even get started on Déck...  :rolleyes:

Seriously, the only "gaming" company that uses a clean and nice font is Corsair...  :(
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: Linkbane on Tue, 22 October 2013, 23:38:24
Reason to avoid Razer: can't identify which language they attempt to use on their 'English' keyboards.

Seems to be the same dialect as the one on the QFR and TK.

The QF is more readable than you might think. Thick, block letters everywhere, which are quite legible.
(http://cdn.overclock.net/5/59/500x1000px-LL-596858e7_1qEKS.jpeg)
Legible from a distance. The 'A' is stylized and not great for legibility, but it's honestly the only styled keycap, which I don't mind too much.

The BW, on the other hand..
(http://tbreak.com/tech/files/DSC00056.jpg)
Seriously, they're off center, and 'q', 'b', 'v', 'y', and 'p' look horrible.

Seriously, the only "gaming" company that uses a clean and nice font is Corsair...  :(

Heh, some aren't too bad. Ducky's keyboards, in fact, are completely sans serif.
(http://tigerimports.net/sunshop/images/products/DK9087S3-CUSALAAP1_0_large.jpg)

I agree though, Corsair's font is great. Just wish they didn't pad-print.
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: wetto on Wed, 23 October 2013, 00:49:24
Reason to avoid Razer: can't identify which language they attempt to use on their 'English' keyboards.

Seems to be the same dialect as the one on the QFR and TK.

The QF is more readable than you might think. Thick, block letters everywhere, which are quite legible.
Show Image
(http://cdn.overclock.net/5/59/500x1000px-LL-596858e7_1qEKS.jpeg)

Legible from a distance. The 'A' is stylized and not great for legibility, but it's honestly the only styled keycap, which I don't mind too much.

The BW, on the other hand..
Show Image
(http://tbreak.com/tech/files/DSC00056.jpg)

Seriously, they're off center, and 'q', 'b', 'v', 'y', and 'p' look horrible.

Seriously, the only "gaming" company that uses a clean and nice font is Corsair...  :(

Heh, some aren't too bad. Ducky's keyboards, in fact, are completely sans serif.
Show Image
(http://tigerimports.net/sunshop/images/products/DK9087S3-CUSALAAP1_0_large.jpg)


I agree though, Corsair's font is great. Just wish they didn't pad-print.

I have my doubts if Ducky's focus is really the "gaming" market or the "casual" market with the Ducky 2108 Zero Shine lines and Enthusiast Market with the Ducky Shine III, so, I didn't count them in.

Here's another entry for the terrible font contest:

(http://imageshack.us/a/img585/2396/cegr.jpg)

Seems almost "clean" with the flash, but the letters are all unreadable unless it's backlit  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: Sniping on Wed, 23 October 2013, 01:01:26
Reason to avoid Razer: can't identify which language they attempt to use on their 'English' keyboards.

Seems to be the same dialect as the one on the QFR and TK.

The QF is more readable than you might think. Thick, block letters everywhere, which are quite legible.
Show Image
(http://cdn.overclock.net/5/59/500x1000px-LL-596858e7_1qEKS.jpeg)

Legible from a distance. The 'A' is stylized and not great for legibility, but it's honestly the only styled keycap, which I don't mind too much.

The BW, on the other hand..
Show Image
(http://tbreak.com/tech/files/DSC00056.jpg)

Seriously, they're off center, and 'q', 'b', 'v', 'y', and 'p' look horrible.

Seriously, the only "gaming" company that uses a clean and nice font is Corsair...  :(



I agree though, Corsair's font is great. Just wish they didn't pad-print.

While I do agree that that BW font doesn't look good, the board in the poll is the BWU 2013, which uses the same font that the regular blackwidow always did, which looks very similar to the TK and QFR.
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: Pacifist on Wed, 23 October 2013, 01:03:30
Well the poll is for the best gaming keyboard and I think razer automatically wins as they are only for gamers and have a massive army of gamers using blues
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: davkol on Wed, 23 October 2013, 05:32:45
Do Razer still claim that taking off keycaps voids warranty? I mean who could make such ridiculous statement but a bunch of jerks?

Also, what's the demographic of that poll? 13-year-old gamer kidz with no common sense? Or the same kind of people that buy Beats by Dre without doing any research? That would explain a lot.

At last but not least, it shouldn't be called "best keyboard", but "most popular keyboard" instead, and the winner is obvious. Razer and SteelSeries are the only companies that have had their mechanical keyboards in nearly every store even in the middle of nowhere since forever.
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: PadawanGeek on Wed, 23 October 2013, 05:55:32
Do Razer still claim that taking off keycaps voids warranty? I mean who could make such ridiculous statement but a bunch of jerks?

Also, what's the demographic of that poll? 13-year-old gamer kidz with no common sense? Or the same kind of people that buy Beats by Dre without doing any research? That would explain a lot.

At last but not least, it shouldn't be called "best keyboard", but "most popular keyboard" instead, and the winner is obvious. Razer and SteelSeries are the only companies that have had their mechanical keyboards in nearly every store even in the middle of nowhere since forever.
LOL! But there is some truth in what you'd said. :thumb:

The last part is quite true, in my neck of the woods, there is a chain of electronic shops that sell complete pre-built systems from HP, Acer and Dell......and Apple. Yes, you can find typical peripherals like keyboards, mice, speakers among others. You can find MS keyboards, Logitech (but don't recall seeing a G710+ though).....but the only mechanical keyboards they sell is by......yep, you've guessed it, Razer.  To find Ducky or Filco, you'd have to go to a giant tech mall here where there are shops that specialized in such peripherals. Go to those regular shopping malls, and you might find this chain of shops I'd mentioned, and the only mechanical keyboard they have is Razer......so, anybody who has no inkling of what makes a good mechanical keyboard would ultimately end up getting a Razer simply because it's the only ones they sell.

I have my reason for disliking Razer, but do not wish to add to the somewhat heated disagreement here. Suffice to say I think that poll is skewed in favor of the uninformed and as davkol so succinctly put it, "13-year-old gamer kidz with no common sense? Or the same kind of people that buy Beats by Dre without doing any research", (with the exception Razer keyboard owners here of course) hence Razer winning it.
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: AuRinBei on Wed, 23 October 2013, 11:16:50

It was a question to point out a flaw, the keyboards definitely aren't built well.
Plus, backlighting is very useful while gaming in the dark for me.

I’ve heard people talking about pretty much every keyboard under the sun breaking at least once. The problem with Razer is that I have no idea how good their 2013 version is. The amount of people who have one and are talking about it is just too low. Pretty much all the complaints are directed to the old iOne Blackwidow. I barely see anyone on keyboard forums talking about the new Blackwidows other than people who have never owned one talking about how much it sucks based purely on reputation. Razer is a pariah, so even if their quality has improved to the point where they could compete with Ducky, nobody would know. They’re like the Madcatz of the mechanical keyboard world. They can improve their products tremendously, but it will be very hard for them to shake their reputation.
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: Binge on Wed, 23 October 2013, 11:41:21
Not trying to be a ****... but for GAMING I use an orbweaver.  It is a game-pad, but really it's just a small keyboard.  If we were going to get all nit picky about their entire line-up I would include the orbweaver and stress that the other companies just aren't trying to appeal to the gamer.  Features and utility are important.

Love CM storm-- although they do nothing to provide anything over the bare reliable minimum, and Corsair/Logitech are just putting their goods into "appealing" cases.  When it comes to the orbweaver Razer provided a fully programmable left handed low latency input device.

Razer isn't my favorite although I will give them credit for doing a service to gaming with a handful of their products.
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: wetto on Wed, 23 October 2013, 12:54:09
Love CM storm-- although they do nothing to provide anything over the bare reliable minimum, and Corsair/Logitech are just putting their goods into "appealing" cases.  When it comes to the orbweaver Razer provided a fully programmable left handed low latency input device.

Razer isn't my favorite although I will give them credit for doing a service to gaming with a handful of their products.

Which concept was first developed by Belkin and bought afterwards by Razer.  :rolleyes:

No news there though, Logitech also gets all the credit for the work Design Partners do as well, since they're paid for that.
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: davkol on Wed, 23 October 2013, 15:09:35
Not trying to be a ****... but for GAMING I use an orbweaver.  It is a game-pad, but really it's just a small keyboard.  If we were going to get all nit picky about their entire line-up I would include the orbweaver and stress that the other companies just aren't trying to appeal to the gamer.  Features and utility are important.

Love CM storm-- although they do nothing to provide anything over the bare reliable minimum, and Corsair/Logitech are just putting their goods into "appealing" cases.  When it comes to the orbweaver Razer provided a fully programmable left handed low latency input device.

Razer isn't my favorite although I will give them credit for doing a service to gaming with a handful of their products.

Is it actually programmable, or just the Synapse 2.0 crapware?
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: tp4tissue on Wed, 23 October 2013, 15:14:11
Dude... all of you guys... Suck it up.... Razer is da'BOSS... (http://www.freesmileys.org/emoticons/tuzki-bunnys/tuzki-bunny-emoticon-007.gif)

Fate is against us... the world has chosen.... Fight another day.....
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: Hellmark on Wed, 23 October 2013, 15:39:15
BWU2013 still uses Synapse 2.0
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: davkol on Wed, 23 October 2013, 17:15:42
BWU2013 still uses Synapse 2.0

Still? I thought they actually switched to Synapse 2.0 on all of their hardware—and "replaced" even on-board memory in mouses, which is another reason why.... is "I hope they die a painful death" too strong?
Title: Re: Kotaku's Best Gaming Keyboard Poll
Post by: Hellmark on Wed, 23 October 2013, 20:27:02
Well, still, being, because it has been a bit since the initial brouhaha over the things.

But yeah, their requiring software and an online connection is why I won't buy Razor. I had thought most of their things must have been decent quality based on their popularity until more recently when I got some hands on time with some. I only knew of a drop in quality on the Nostromos.